Carton structure



June 8, 1943. K. c. FERGUSQN v 2,321,473 CARTON STRUCTURE Filed Dec. as, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 8, 1943 T. OFFICE CARTON STRUCTURE Kenneth C. Ferguson, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Inland Container Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation Application December 26, 1940, Serial No. 371,609

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a paper board construction which may be utilized as a display device or as a container among the many available forms in which the primary invention may be incorporated. v

The invention when utilized in a container may be applied to but one end or to opposite ends, as desired.

The invention when incorporated in a display container, or device, serves as a stabilizing arrangement therefor and also in the preferred form of the invention, may constitute a tray arrangement, all as hereinafter pointed out.

While the invention has been described as directed to paper board material and its utilization, the invention readily lends itself to the utilization of what is known as corrugated paper board, this being preferably double face board wherein there are two outer liners and an included corrugated layer.

The chief object of the'invention is to provide a construction which is capable of fabrication at the source of manufacture and so arranged that the same may be shipped or transported in collapsed or knock-down arrangement and can be readily erected or set up and such erection or setting up does not require the use of any adhesive, stapling, stitching but the setting up is accomplished by the mutual interlocking of parts.

The chief feature of the invention is directed to the formation of aclosure for a tubular construction utilizing flaps on the ends of four sequentially connected walls, which flaps may be turned inwardly, two of the fiaps having a total area when associated together, approximately equal to that of the cross sectional area of the tubular arrangement and each of these two flaps at their confronting edges including laterally off-- set or spaced, substantially coplaner tongues which project from the supporting flaps and overlie the other flap and thus form an interlocked closure and the flaps on the other two walls of the tubular arrangement lie within the arrange ment and partially or entirely conceal the interlocking tongue arrangement and load thereon reinforces such interlock.

Another chief feature of the invention is the utilization of the invention previously set forth in a display device for th stabilization of the same when erected in display formation and the primary feature of the invention includes an internal extension whereby there is provided in said display device a tray construction as hereinafter pointed out more fully.

A third feature of the invention is in the display device and its formation whereby an intermediate platform formation is provided in the tubular arrangement, access being had to the platform area through one of the walls and the platform being formed from a and supported by another wall of the device.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter. v

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claim.

In the drawings,

the display type container.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same erected or set up,

Fig. 3 ma sectional view taken one line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a blank suitable for a container embodying the invention.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a container formed from the blank shown in Fig. 4.

In the drawings by noting Figs. 1 and 4, it will be observed that each of the two representative embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation thereof from a single blank' which pro- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the developedblank of vldes four walls, the same being sequentially connected together and in the exemplified forms of the invention these connections are shown as a wall side flap lapping an adjacent wall at right angles thereto and metallicly stitched or stapled thereto as is common in the box art. As previously set forth, each of the blanks shown in Figs. 1 and 4 may be taped but preferably, is stitched together as aforesaid, and then the blank is collapsed so that it then is a double layer structure and thus is in fiat or knockdown relation and may be readily erected and locked in the erected relation without the use of adhesive, stitching, stapling, or the like, with all the attendant advantagesof such an arrangement.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive,

it will be noted that there are provided four walls designated II), II, l2 and I3, walls In and ll being hingedly connected as at M and walls II and I2 being hingedly connected as at l5, and walls l2 and I3 being hingedly connected at l6. Hin edly connected to the edge I! of the wall I3 is alongitudinal flap 18 which may be exteriorly positioned but is arranged to lie inside the tubular arrangement, as shown in Fig. 2, and parallel to the wall l0, and herein the rear wall, and is suitably secured thereto as by stitching I9, or the like.

Extending from each of these walls is an intermediate portion, such as 20, 21, 22 and 23, and

portion of that wall the areas of these two flaps is substantially equal to the cross sectional area of the tubular arrangement when erected, thus forming a bottom of a tray at the top of the tubular arrangement when erected and forming an upper closure for the same. Portions 3| and 35 may overlap or have their adjacent edges lap the other portion.

Integral with each of the other walls l0 and I2 of the tubular arrangement and more particularly integral with the intermediate and inwardly and downwardly directed portions and 22, respectively, thereof, are the flaps 3|) and 32, the same having hinge connection therewith at 34 and 36, respectively. The summation of the areas of these two flaps which lie beneath the flaps 3| and 33, is substantially that of the cross sectional area of the tubular arrangement when'erected. However, the parting between the two flaps in this instance is substantially at right angles to the parting of the superposed flaps 3| and 33.

Each confronting edge of the two concealed flaps and 32 are provided with a plurality of tongues 38 on the flap 30 and 39 on the flap 32,

and these tongues are substantially coplaner with the supporting flaps and project beyond the confronting edges and overlap the adjacent flap, as illustrated. The width of thesetongues is such that they preferably frictionally bind at their sides when associated together and thus when they are associated together the several tongues overlie the adjacent flap and thus form a lock for rigidizing the tubular structure.

To erect the structure thus described is relatively simple. It will be remembered that the arrangement is shipped flat or knock-down and when it is received, it is first stood on edge and opened up to form a tubular structure, and then the flaps 20 and 22 are turned inwardlyand downwardly and the tongues 38 and 39 are associated together so that when pressure is applied to the same when they are crossed and to the flaps 30 and 32 supporting same, the flaps 30 and 32 are interlocked and have a substantially coplaner alignment and form a locked bottom and the portions 20 and 22 extend downwardly and parallel to the sides supporting the same.

After this much of the blank has been erected, the other two flaps 3| and 33 are brought inwardly together with the intermediate portions, 2| and 23 and these latter are caused to move downwardly so asto lie parallel to the sides of the tubular arrangement which support these portions and then the two flaps 3| and 33 rest upon the interlocked tongues and flaps therebeneath and when the portions 2| and 23 have been properly positioned in substantial parallel relation,

the two confronting edges of the flaps 3| and 33 in the preferred form abut each other, and these two flaps then have coplaner relationship and form a relatively smooth bottom for the tray-like structure. It, of course, is to be understood the depth of the tray is determined solely by the width or common dimension of all the intermediate portions previously referred to.

It also will be understood that the aforesaid construction maintains the tubular arrangement in rigid relation with all the walls at right angles to the adjacent walls. It also will be understood that if the outside liner of the corrugated board is of any desired color, that the interior of the tray structure will have a corresponding color regardless of the color of the inside liner.

. While the invention is shown as a display device in Fig. 2, it is to be understood that the aforesaid specific description relating to the closure for the same need not be of tray container type, as shown, which might be termed a reentrant or recessed end closure but may be of flush type, as hereinafter set forth for a container.

. A recessed end container, when erected and stood on end, .serves as a tray structure to display. merchandise. Such a container, provided with an arrangement of this character, also is sufficiently rigidized thereby so that the four walls of the container are prevented from collapse or relative distortion both in shipment and display.

A container of the aforesaid character could have its opposite end similarl formed and if'so desired, the structure shown in Fig. 2 may be so formed, and since the opposite end would be a duplication of the upper end, no further illustration or description thereof are believed necessary.

It also is to be understood that when thus provided with a similar closure at the bottom end, the bottom is rigidized and the space within the container not otherwise utilized as hereinafter pointed out and above, this spaced bottom may be used to store surplus merchandise, the subject matter of the display, and included in the original shipment.

Reference now will be had more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, wherein the tubular arrangement is shown arranged for intermediate display purposes. Herein the front I2 i cut as at 40 parallel to the crease 4| and each of the sides H and I3 between the cut 40 and the crease 4| is cut as at 42.- .This may be of any desired conformation and the portion 43 taken from the walls I and I3 form flaps, the same being hinged as at I61; and |5a to the portion 44 defined by the cut 40, crease 4| and the creases |5a and Isa. This forms a platform with side wings.

Extending upwardly from the cut 40 is a cut, substantially semi-circular, and indicated as at 45. This provides a tongue 46 which is hinged as at 41 to the upper and substantially rear edge 44a of the platform 44 at 41. The distance between the hinge and the cut 40 i substantially that of the width of the two opposed side walls I and I3. The platform naturally is of the same width as the front and rear walls I0 and I2. The rear wall I0 is provided with an I-shaped slot formation, the upper elongated portion of which lie in a plane that includes the hinge portion 4|, and this I-slot forms two tongues 48 which.

are hingedly connected at 49 to the rear wall l0.

When the tubular arrangement is set up and the closure fabricated for stabilization, then the tongue portion 46 is turned inwardly from the cut 45 so as to lie substantially at right angles to the platform portion 44- then in the vertical position. Then the two portions 43 are pressed inwardly slightly towards each other so as to clear the front edges 420i the cuts in the walls II and I3. Then the platform is forced downwardly and-rearwardly upon the hinge 4|. In so doing, the flaps 43 frictionally engage the inside of the side walls I l and I3.

Before the platform is lowered into horizontal position, the two tongues or support portions 48 are forced inwardly from the rear of the rear wall In so that they are in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. .The platform withthe tongue 48 at right angles thereto is forced downwardly so that the tongue then engages at the sides, im-.

edges of theinwardly directed support portions- 48 which thus constitute a support for the rear end of the platform and the friction between the flaps 43 and the side walls also facilitate stabilization.

The aforesaid construction also insures that the display device thus formed is rigidized at or near its lower end, whether or not a lower closure be formed upon the lower ends of the four walls III to l3, inclusive. Whenever the lower end of the structure is provided with a closure, although for simplicity herein the same, is not so illus trated, there is formed a compartment with said lower closure between the lower closure and the platform and access thereto is had by elevating the platform 44 and this chamber may be a storage compartment.

Reference now will be had to the simplest form of-the primary invention-see Figs 4 and 5. In Figs 4 and 5, the numeral 60 indicates one wall, 6| an adjacent wall, 62 an opposite wall, 63 a wall adjacentthe wall 30. These severalwalls are hingedly connected together as at 64, 65 and 66.

A flap 68 is hingedly connected to the other side edge of the wall 63 as at 61, and the flap 68 is secured to the wall 50 as at 69 in substantially the same manner as that previously described.

One end of wall 60 has a flap 10 hingedly connected thereto as at 14. The wall 6| has a flap ll connected to the wall 6| as at 15. A flap 12 is hingedly connected towall 62 as at 16. A flap 13 is hingedly connected to wall 63 by the hinge crease 11. The flaps H and 13 are provided with apertures 18, if desired. The flaps 10 and 12 are provided with apertures or cut outs 19, if, as and when desired. When the flaps 10 and 12 are turned inwardly and then the flaps H and I3 are turned inwardly, after the tubular arrangement has been extended from the fiat to tubular formation, the holes 18 register with the cut cuts 19 for ventilation and inspection purposes. The openings H a and 13a in the flaps II and I3 are provided for handle reception, when desired. The opposite end of the tubular arrangement includes a pair of flaps 3| and 33, the same being ends of the walls GI and 63, respectively. These two; flaps have a width corresponding to the width of the supporting walls, just like flaps 3| and 33 have a width corresponding to the width of their supporting walls. The length of these flaps 3|! and 32, is such that the summation of the areas thereof is approximately equal to'the cross sectional area of the tubular arrangement constituting the container structure The two confronting edges 33a and 32a have projecting therefrom and in substantially coplaner relationship with the respective flaps supporting same, a plurality of spaced tongues 38 on the flap :2 and as of the flap to. The width of these tongues is the width of the spacing and the tongues on opposite flaps are offset so that the tongues will lock together when the flaps are brought together in substantially coplanar alignment, and this locking arrangement locks the container in erected relation without the use of stitching, stapling, adhesive, 'or the like, and the flaps 3| and 33 overlie the sameupon the interior of the container, as shown most clearly I in Fig. 5.

hingedlyconnected as at 35 and 31, respectively,

to the opposite ends of spectively.

Herein and thereby differing from the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2', these flaps. for economical production are only the length of the the walls 60 and 62, re-

flaps intermediate the same, including the tongue extensions thereof, hereinafterto be described. However, when stock economy is not of primary importance, they may be of such length that the two confronting edges 33a and 3la may. abut each other and thus form a completev closure for the container. 1

Two flaps 30 and 32 are hingedly connected by the creases 34 and 36, respectively, to the other parallel relation and such .interlock, and thus the The walls 60 and may,

if desired, be provided with hand holes 80. The ends walls 60. and 62 may be provided with other openings 8|. The intermediate walls may be provided with openings 82. These openings are for ventilation and inspection and the handholes have the ad- .ditional function of such holes common. to paper board containers.

It will be noted that in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that there are three tongues on each locking" flap and that in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, there are but two locking tongues. on each locking flap and that the same are alternated in the interlocking relation, the spacing between tongues on the same locking flap is substantially the same as the width of the tongue on the confronting locking flap.

It is to be observed that the confronting tongue lock arrangement is of such character that the tongues lapping the flaps overlie said flaps on the load engageable side thereof and that the other flaps which are not of tongue character, lie over the same and the load pressure on these flaps serve to force the tongues into the flap last mentioned covering flaps, by reason of the load thereon,'resist the tendency of the load to disengage the tongue bottom tongue lock is of load maintained character. In the display type of the device illustrated in the first group of figures, the invention is identical insofar as the interlock and load maintenance of the interlock and resistance to unlocking is concerned. Whenever desired and not required, the flaps not equipped omitted.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in charac er l The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilledin this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appeded claim.

- The invention claimed is:

and furthermore that v with interlocking tongues may be.

quentially connected walls, opposite walls having substantially the same width, the closure being of tray display type when the container structure is positioned with the end closure uppermost, the closure comprising a flap hingedly connected to each wall, a connecting portion between each flap and the supporting wall, all three being integral and substantially of wall width, all portions having a common length, one pair of flaps being longer than the other, the shorter pair having a summation length not exceeding the 'width of a wall therebetween, each longer flap 

